The effect of RAI treatment on nasal functions in well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas

Aim: The aim of study is to evaluate the effect of RAI treatment on nasal functions in well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas(WDTC) by subjective and objective tests and correlation between objective tests and retention of RAI in the nasal turbinate and contribute to the literature. Material Method: Thirty-five patients were included. Patients with pathologies that affect nasal functions , history of nasal surgery, using medications affect nasal functions were excluded. Endoscopy, nasal saccharin , Schirmer test and acoustic rhinometry were performed before RAI, in the 1st week after treatment and 3rd month. Patients were subjected to scintigraphic measurements after RAI to determine the retention of RAI in the nasal turbinate and check correlation between the retention of RAI and the results of tests. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the 3rd month NOSE scores before and after RAI, but no significant difference at other times. There was no significant difference between the endoscopic grade right and left values at all three times. There was a significant difference between the first and maximum taste values and the Schirmer tests at three times, The change in MCA (left) values was not statistically significant, but the change in MCA (right), Vol 0-5 (left) and Vol 0-5 (right) values were significant, but their correlation with scintigraphic count was low. Conclusion: RAI affects nasal mucociliary clerance, secretion and respiratory function more in the long term than in the acute period and this effect has a low correlation with RAI involvment in the turbinate. Keywords: Acoustic Rhinometry, Radioactive Iodine, Saccharine, Schirmer